Our Morning Offering – 15 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin – Our Lady of Sorrows
O Quot Undis Lacrimarum What A Sea Of Tears And Sorrow Breviary Hymn for the Feast of the Seven Sorrow Attrib. Bishop Callisto Palumbella OSM (1687-1749) Trans. Fr Edward Caswell COrat (1814–1878)
What a sea of tears and sorrow Did the soul of Mary toss To and fro upon its billows, While she wept her bitter loss; In her arms her Jesus holding, Torn so newly from the Cross.
Oh, that mournful Virgin-Mother! See her tears how fast they flow Down upon His mangled body, Wounded side, and thorny brow; While His hands and feet she kisses— Picture of immortal woe.
Oft and oft, His arms and bosom Fondly straining to her own; Oft her pallid lips imprinting On each wound of her dear Son; Till at last, in swoons of anguish, Sense and consciousness are gone.
Gentle Mother, we beseech thee By thy tears and troubles sore; By the death of thy dear Offspring, By the bloody wounds He bore; Touch our hearts with that true sorrow Which afflicted thee of yore.
To the Father everlasting, And the Son Who reigns on high, With the Co-eternal Spirit, Trinity in Unity, Be salvation, honour, blessing Now and through eternity. Amen
Attrib. to the Servite Bishop Callisto Maria Vincenzo Antonio Palumbella OSM (1687-1749), who also composed the Office for the Feast inserted in the Breviary in 1720. He was the Bishop of Terracina, Priverno e Sezze, Italy. This Translation by Fr Edward Caswell COrat (1814–1878)
Saint of the Day – 15 September – St Nicomedes (Died c71) Priest and Martyr. Died in Rome by being beaten to death wiuth clubs.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Rome, on the Nomentan Way, the birthday of the blessed Nicomedes, Priest and Martyr. As he said to those who would compel him to sacrifice: “I sacrifice only to the Omnipotent God, who reigns in Heaven.” He was scourged, for a very long time with leaded whips and thus, went to our Lord.”
Stained glass depiction of scene common in the days of the early Christian Martyrs and the time of St Nicomedes. Stained glass window in St Catherine’s Church in Honfleur, France.
Little is known of the early life of this heroic Christian Martyr. What we do know for sure, is derived from the historical texts of Holy Mother Church He is spoken of in the legendary ‘Passio’ of the Saints Nereus and Achilleus composed in the 5th-6th Century, whose Author states that Nicomedes was a Priest.
A holy “line up” including: St Dominic, St Nicomèdes, Our Lady and Baby Jesus, St Claude and St Fiacre. These sculptures are found in the interior of the Chapelle de Kermaria-an-Isquit in France.
He was discovered while burying the body of the Martyr Felicola and arrested by a certain Flaccus, Since he refused to sacrifice to the gods, he was subjected to a cruel flagellation, during which he died.
His body was thrown into the Tiber but one of his fellow-clerics ,named Giusto, recovered it and buried it in a small garden along the Via Nomentan.
The Author of the ‘Passio’ does not mention the day of his death but from the context, it can be deduced that he died, at the time of the Emperor Domitian (51-96. Subsequent studies and research have hypothesised 15 September as the day of his death, while another ‘Passio’ of the 7th Century places his death on 1 June under Maximian (240-310).
In any case, the existence and cult of this Martyr Nicomedes are attested by documents worthy of faith, although the biographical information is uncertain. Moreover, he is mentioned in at least eight historical ‘Martyrologies.’ In the ‘Roman’ one, his feast day remained on 15 September.
Already in the 7th Century, it is known that pilgrims venerated the tomb of the Martyr on the Via Nomentan, on which Pope Boniface V (619-625) had a Basilica built which was later restored by Pope Hadrian I (†795).
St Aichardus St Albinus of Lyon St Aprus of Toul St Bond of Sens St Emilas of Cordoba St Eutropa of Auvergne St Hernan St Jeremias of Cordoba St Joseph Abibos St Mamillian of Palermo St Melitina St Mirin of Bangor St Nicetas the Goth
St Nicomedes (Died c71) Priest and Martyr
St Porphyrius the Martyr St Ribert St Ritbert of Varennes Bl Rolando de Medici Bl Tommasuccio of Foligno St Valerian of Châlon-sur-Saône St Valerian of Noviodunum St Vitus of Bergamo
Martyrs of Adrianopolis – 3 Saints: Three Christian men Martyred together in the persecutions of Maximian – Asclepiodotus, Maximus and Theodore. They were martyred in 310 at Adrianopolis (Adrianople), a location in modern Bulgaria.
Martyrs of Noviodunum – 4 Saints: Three Christian men martyred together, date unknown – Gordian, Macrinus, Stratone and Valerian. They were martyred in Noviodunum, Lower Moesia (near modern Isaccea, Romania).
Mercedarian Martyrs of Morocco – 6 Beati: A group of six Mercedarians who were captured by Moors near Valencia, Spain and taken to Morocco. Though enslaved, they refused to stop preaching Christianity. Martyrs. – Dionisio, Francis, Ildefonso, James, John and Sancho. They were crucified in 1437 in Morocco.
Thought for the Day – 14 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Redemption
“In conclusion, let us say this prayer of St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787): “My soul, look at this Crucified Man … see how the arms extend to embrace you, how the head bows forward to give you the kiss of peace. See how His side is open to receive you. What have you to say? Such a good and loving God deserves to be loved. O my Jesus! Adorable Jesus! O Love of my soul! How can I ever forget Thee? How can I ever love anything apart from Thee! O suffering Jesus, may the memory of Thee ever remain in my heart!”
Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:31-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I am, there also shall My servant be.”
John 12:25-26
“The wood of the Cross bears Him Who made the universe. Undergoing death for my life, He Who bears the universe is fastened to the tree, as one dead. He Who breathes Life into the dead, gives up the spirit on the tree. The Cross brings no shame to Him at all but, like a trophy, confirms His complete victory. Like a just Judge, He is seated on the Throne of the Cross. The Crown of Thorns. He wears on His brow, confirms His victory “Take courage, I have conquered the world and the prince of this world, by taking away the sin of this world” (Jn 16:33; 1:29).”
St Germanus of Constantinople (c640-733) Bishop, Father of the Church
Hail, Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered and let those, who hate Him, flee from His Presence. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish and as wax melts by the presence of fire, so let the demons perish by the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Hail, Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drives away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified on thee, Who went down to hell and trampled on the power of the devil and gave us thee, His venerable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, help me with our holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen.
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
(Part of the Night Prayers by St John Damascene)
“If you cannot soar up as high as Christ sitting on His Throne, behold Him hanging on His Cross. Rest in Christ’s Passion and live willingly in His Holy Wounds. You will gain marvellous strength and comfort in adversities. You will not care that men despise you!”
Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
“Ah ! what is all that I do and suffer, compared with what my Jesus did and suffered for my sake? O, that I might, for His honour, be torn with scourges and pierced with nails and expire on the Cross for Him!”
St Andrew Avellino (1521–1608)
“He mounted the Cross through obedience and died on it through obedience. All those who are willing to be saved through the Cross, will find salvation there. But those, who desire to be saved without it, will perish miserably. There is no salvation, except in this Cross.”
“Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judeaorum – Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.” John 19:19
“HE DIED, THEN But although He died for us and was lifted up on the Cross, those who refuse to look upon Him, will surely die, for there is no other redemption but in this Cross.
O God, how spiritually beneficial and profitable is a consideration of Thy Cross and Passion! Can we contemplate our Saviour’s humility on the Cross, without becoming humble and, having some affection for humiliations? Can we see His obedience, without being obedient? Certainly not! No-one has ever looked upon Our Lord Crucified and remained dead or sick. On the other hand, all who have died, have done so because. they were unwilling to gaze upon Him, just as the Israelites died. who were unwilling to gaze upon the serpent which Moses had raised upon the pole.”
One Minute Reflection – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:31-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He who loves his life, loses it and he who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I Am ,there also shall My servant be.” – John 12:25-26
REFLECTION – “… We are being towed along by a world which passes away, forgetting the world to come. We are greedy for present things but, do not take into account, the coming judgement. We will not run to meet the Lord as He comes!…
Let us turn back, brethren, let us turn back… By the very fact of His delay, of His still waiting, our Lord proves His desire to see us come back to Him, His desire that we should not perish. In His great goodness, He continues addressing these words to us: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked but, would rather, he would change his ways and live ”(Ez 33:11). So let us turn back to Him, brethren, not fearing that time is running short. The time that belongs to time’s Author cannot be shortened. The proof of it lies in the criminal in the Gospel, who, at the moment of dying on the cross, got away with his pardon, grabbed hold of life and, breaking into paradise like a burglar, managed to make his way into the Kingdom (cf. Lk 23,43)!” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Excerpt from Sermon 167).
PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us this day by the annual feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who know on earth, the mysteries of Christ, may be found worthy to obtain, in heaven, the rewards of His Redemption. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This is My Joy, To Follow My Saviour A Prayer to Seek the Consolation of the Cross By St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)
Jesus, love of my soul, centre of my heart! Why am I not more eager to endure pains and tribulations for love of Thee, when Thou, my God, have suffered so many for me? Come, then, every sort of trial in the world, for this is my delight, to suffer for Jesus. This is my joy, to follow my Saviour and to find my consolation with my Consoler on the Cross. This is my happiness, this my pleasure – to live with Jesus, to walk with Jesus, to converse with Jesus, to suffer with and for Him, this is my treasure! Amen
Saint of the Day – 14 September – Saint Cormac of Cashel (c836-908) Bishop, King of Munster, Ireland, a great Scholar and Writer. Born as Cormac MacCquilenan was the son of Cuillenan and descended from King Aengus who Saint Patrick Baptised. Cormac was probably the first Bishop of Cashel and the compiler of the “Psalter of Cashel” an Irish history. Irish writers have celebrated him for his learning, piety, charity and valour. He was killed in a battle against King Flan of Meath.
Coprmac, in his early years received a good education in one of the Irish Monastery schools. He was Ordained Priest and afterwards appointed Bishop of Cashel.
In the year 900 he became, on account of his descent, King of Cashel and thus were combined in his person, the two offices of spiritual and temporal ruler of Leth Moga, as the southern portion of Ireland was called.
In 906, The Ardri (ard-ri, High King) Flann, assisted by the King of Leinster, led his forces into the Southern Province and was met by the Munstermen under Cormac. The Ardri suffered a signal defeat. However in 908, Flann, assisted by Ceorbhall, King of Leinster and Cathal, King of Connaught, returned to the attack, apparently because Cormac, instigated by Flaherty, Abbot of Inniscathay, had claimed tribute from Leinster and had even signified his intention of assuming the position of High King there. The battle was fought, the Munstermen suffered a complete defeat and Cormac was killed in the battle.
An Irish Glossary called “Sanas Chormai,” containing etymologies and explanations of over 1400 unusual Irish words which has come down to us. Although, etymologically, the work is of little value, yet on account of the light it throws upon many ancient Irish customs and institutions, it is of great importance to the historian. The “Glossary of Cormac” is said to be only a part of the “Psalter of Cashel” also attributed to Cormac, but which has been lost. The lost Psalter of Cashel and the “Lebor na Cert—the Book of Rights”—is also linked to Cormac.
Cormac was regarded as a Saint after his death and his Shrine at Castledermot, County Kildare, is the site of miracles and pilgrimages.
St Caerealis Bl Claude Laplace St Cormac of Cashel (c836-908) Bishop, King St Crescentian of Carthage St Crescentius of Rome St Generalis of Carthage St Giulia Crostarosa St Jean Gabriel Taurin du Fresse
St Maternus of Cologne (Died c 325) Bishop, the first Bishop of Cologne and Founder of the Diocese of Tongeren, Germany. In Cologne and in his hometown of Trier, the faithful began to venerate him as a Saint. A popular cult of which the splendid 13th century stained glass windows in the Cathedral Chapel dedicated to his name, also testify. He was buried in the Cathedral of Cologne but the Cathedral of St Peter in Trier boasts a large Reliquary, which became and remains, a pilgrimage site. Biography; https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/14/saint-of-the-day-14-september-saint-maternus-of-cologne-died-c-325/
St Peter of Tarentaise O.Cist (1102-1174) Cistercian Monk, Archbishop of Tarentaise from 1141 until his death, Abbot, Apostle of Charity, Miracle-worker. There are two Saints named Saint Peter of Tarentaise who lived one Century apart. The Saint we honour today, is the younger Peter, born in France in the early part of the 12th Century. The other Saint Peter if Tarentaise, became Pope Innocent V. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/14/saint-of-the-day-14-september-saint-peter-of-tarentaise-o-cist-1102-1174/
Bl Pedro Bruch Cotacáns St Rosula of Carthage St Sallustia St Victor of Carthage
Thought for the Day – 13 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Filial and Servile Fear
“It is true that the fear of God is recommended many times in Sacred Scripture but, it is filial fear which is intended, not servile fear.
Servile fear keeps us apart from God. But filial fear is akin to love and brings us closer to Him. We should desire never to offend God because we love Him, not because we fear Him. When one loves another with all one’s heart, iot is nearly impossible to offend him. In this sense “the fear of Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7) and, therefore, of sanctity. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit which produces, in us, a complete and loving submission to God, our Father and keeps us far from sin because, it is displeasing to Him.
The filial fear is pleasing to God, for “he fulfils the desire of those who fear Him, He hears their cry and saves them” (Ps 144:19).
“Love, therefore,” writes St Paul, “is the fulfilment of the law” (Rom 13:10). We should certainly fear God but above all, we should love Him. If we love Him, we shall be glad to keep His commanments and we shall have great spiritual peace, contentment and growth in sanctity, all given by the grace of God.”
Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10, Luke 7:11-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And the Lord, seeing her, had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”
Luke 7:13
“Prayer, appeases the anger of God; He pardons the sinner when he prays with humility.”
St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)
“The medicine of God, is Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen, the measure of all things.”
St John Leonardi (1541-1609) Confessor, Priest, Founder
“O God, fullness of goodness, You do not forsake any, except those who forsake You. You never take away Your gifts, except when we take away our hearts. We rob the goodness of God, if we claim the glory of our salvation for ourselves. We dishonour His mercy, if we say He has failed us. … We blaspheme His goodness, if we deny that He has helped and assisted us. In short, O God, cry loud and clear into our ears: “your destruction comes from you, O Israel. In me alone is found your help” (Hos 13:9).
One Minute Reflection – 13 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10, luke 7:11-16– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Young man, I say to thee, arise!” – Luke 7:14
REFLECTION – “Let no-one who is Christian doubt that even now, dead people rise. Certainly, every human being has eyes, by which he can see dead people rising, in the way this widow’s son, whom we just heard about in the Gospel, arose. But not everyone can see people who are spiritually dead rise. For that, it is necessary to have already risen interiorly. It is greater to raise someone, who is to live forever than to raise someone, who will have to die again.
The young man’s mother, this widow, was transported with joy at seeing her son rise. Our Mother, the Church, also rejoices when she sees her children’s spiritual resurrection everyday. The widow’s son was dead with the death of the body but these latter, are dead with the death of the soul. People wept tears over the visible death of the former but people were not concerned by the invisible death of the latter – they did not even see it. The only One Who did not remain indifferent, is the One Who knew these deaths – only the One, Who could give life back to them, knew these deaths. For if the Lord had not come to raise the dead, the Apostle Paul would not have said: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light.” (Eph 5:14).” –St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 98).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 13 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
O Holy Mary By St Aloysius de Gonzaga (1568-1591)
O Holy Mary, my mistress, into your blessed trust and special custody and into the grasp of your mercy I this day, everyday and in the hour of my death, commend my soul and my body. To you, I commit, all my anxieties and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that by your most holy intercession and by your merits, all my actions may be directed and disposed according to your will and that of your Son. Amen
Saint of the Day – 13 September – St Emiliano of Valence (Died 374) is considered to be the first Bishop of Valence, in France., although certain historians are uncertain of this. We believe that he governed this See from 347 until his death in 374. Also known as – Emilian, Emilianius, Aemilianus – some believing that reference to Aemilianus is another Saint altogether. Additional Memorial – 12 September in Valence.
According to the Life of Saint Marcellin of Embrun (Died 374), he, Marcellin, was Consecrated Bishop by St Emiliano of Valence and St Eusebius of Vercelli ..
Bishop Emiliano participated in the Council organised in Valence on 12 July 374, although his name is not accompanied by the name of the Episcopal See to which he belonged. However, this is not an unusual occurrence, especially in the light of the tact that the Council was being held in his See.
Bishop Emiliano did sign a Synodal letter at the Council of Sardica in 343/344 as the Bishop of Valence.
An ancient manuscript from Valence Cathedral, possibly dating to the 10th Century speaks of Aemilianus vir sanctissimu (most holy Aemillanus). Since ancient times, the liturgical memory of Saint Emiliano has been celebrated in Valence on 10 September. Bishop Jean de Catelan (1705-1725) moved its commemoration to 12 September, making it obligatory for the entire Diocese.
St Evantius of Autun St Gordian of Pontus Bl Hedwig of Hereford St Julian of Ankyra St Ligorius St Litorius of Tours St Macrobius St Marcellinus of Carthage
Thought for the Day – 12 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed”
“It is related in the Gospel, that once a certain occasion, a woman in the crowd, was roused by the preaching and miracles of Jesus and cried out: “Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the breasts that nursed thee.” But Jesus replied: “Rather blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it” (Lk 11:27-28). These words take nothing from the glory of the Mother of God. They were not intended for her but, for us. She was great and holy, not only because she was chosen to be the Mother of the Word Incarnate but also because she perfected herself in virtue by carrying out, in everything, the teaching of her divine Son, Jesus.
We cannot follow her as far as her high dignity of Mother of God but we can follow her in her heroic practice of virtue. Admittedly, we shall not be able to climb to an equal height but, with the help of God and under Mary’s own protection, we can and should, walk in her footsteps.
We can imitate her humility, her purity, her lively faith, her burning love for God and for her neighbour and her spirit of constant prayer and union with God. If we do this, we shall always feel that she is by our side as our loving Mother, who is eager to help us to become holy.”
Quote/s of the Day – 12 September – The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
“The name of Mary is the key to the Gates of Heaven.”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“O most Holy Virgin Mary! Thy name is so sweet and amiable that it cannot be pronounced, without inflaming those, who do so, with love towards thee and God.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
“Thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who devoutly does so!”
St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
“The devils fear the Queen of Heaven, to such a degree that only on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so, as from a burning fire!”
One Minute Reflection – 12 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31, Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace …” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “How can I speak? What praises could I possibly make of the holy and glorious Virgin? She surpasses all other beings except for God Himself. She is by nature more beautiful than the Cherubim and Seraphim and the whole Angelic Host. No language, whether of Heaven or earth, or even of the Angels, is enough to praise her. Blessed Virgin, spotless dove, heavenly bride… temple and throne of the Godhead! Christ, the Sun that shines resplendently in Heaven and on earth, belongs to thee. Thou art the luminous cloud that brought Christ down to earth, He Who is the bright streak of lightening, Who shines across the world.
Rejoice, full of grace, gate of Heaven! It was of thee, the author of the Song of Songs speaks… when he cries aloud: “A garden enclosed is my sister, my bride; an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed” (4:12)… Holy Mother of God, spotless ewe – thou gave birth to Christ, the Lamb, the Word made flesh in thee… How amazing a wonder in the heavens – a woman clothed with the sun (Apoc 12:1), carrying the light in her arms! … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – the Lord of Angels become the Virgin’s Child. Angels judged Eve; now they fill Mary with glory, since it was shewho raised Eve from her fall and brought Adam, expelled from Paradise, into Heaven.
Vast is the grace given to this Holy Virgin. Hence Gabriel, first addresses her with this greeting: “Hail, full of grace” resplendent as the Heaven. “Hail, full of grace” Virgin adorned with countless virtues… “Hail, full of grace” thou quench our thirst at the sweetness of the everlasting stream. Hail, holy and immaculate Mother, thou conceived the Christ Who existed before thee. Hail, royal purple, thou clothed the King of Heaven and earth. Hail, O sealed book, thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!” – St Epiphanius of Salamis (c315-403) Bishop of Salamis, known as the Oracle of Palestine and Father of the Church (Sermon No 5)
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, through the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, Thy faithful people, who delight in her name may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 12 September – Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet! Attrib. to St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor Italian Hymn Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughan CSSR (1827-1908)
Mother Mary, Queen most sweet! Joy and love my heart inflame; Gladly shall my lips repeat Every moment thy dear name.
Ah! that name, to God so dear, Has my heart and soul enslaved; Like a seal it shall appear Deep on heart and soul engraved.
When the morning gilds the skies, I will call on Mary’s name; When at evening twilight dies, Mary, still will I exclaim.
Sweetest Mary, bend thine ear: Thou my own dear mother art; Therefore, shall thy name so dear Never from my lips depart.
If my soul is sore oppress’d By a load of anxious care, Peace once more will fill my breast When thy name re-echoes there.
Waves of doubt disturb my peace, And my heart is faint with fear; At thy name the billows cease, All my’terrors disappear.
When the demon hosts invade,— When temptation rages high, Crying, “Mary, Mother! aid!” I will make the tempter fly.
This shall be my comfort sweet, When the hand of death is nigh, Mary! Mary! to repeat Once again—and then, to die.
This Hymn is an Anonymous Hymn belonging to the Redemptorist tradition but Hymnary.org attributes it to St Alphonsus Liguori. “Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects” (1863) notes that this is one of two Hymns, translated in that book, mentioned above, which come from a Neapolitan published collection of Mission Hymns which are attributed to St Alphonsus.
Saint of the Day – 12 September – The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary (1683 ) from the Liturgical Year, 1903
“And the Virgin’s name was Mary (St Luke 1:27).’ Let us speak a little about this name, which signifies Star of the Sea and which, so well befits the Virgin Mother. Sightly is she likened to a star – for as a star emits its ray without being spoilt, so the Virgin, brought forth her Son, without receiving any injury – the ray takes nought from the brightness of the Star, nor the Son from His Mother’s integrity. This is the noble Star risen out of Jacob, whose ray illumines the whole world, whose splendour shines in the heavens, penetrates the abyss,and traversing the whole earth, gives warmth, rather to souls than to bodies, cherishing virtues, withering vices. Mary, I say, is that bright and incomparable Star, whom we need to see raised above this vast sea and shining by her merits, giving us light by her example.
‘O whosoever thou art, that seest thyself, amid the tides of this world, tossed about by storms and tempests, rather than walking on the land, turn not thine eyes away from the shining of this Star, if thou wouldst not be overwhelmed by the hurricane. If squalls of temptations arise, or thou fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the Star, call upon Mary. If thou art tossed by the waves of pride or ambition, detraction or envy, look to the Star, call upon Mary. If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship of thy soul, turn thine eyes towards Mary. If, troubled by the enormity of thy crimes, ashamed of thy guilty conscience, terrified by dread of the judgement, thou beginnest to sink into the gulf of sadness, or the abyss of despair, think of Mary. In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary.’ … (St Bernard)
St Peter Chrysologus adds … “Mary, in Hebrew, signifies Lady or Sovereign and truly, the authority of her Son, Who is the Lord of the world, constituted her Queen, both in fact and in name, from her very birth ”(Petr. Chrys. Sermo cxlii, de Annuntiat. Homily of the 3rd Nocturn).”
Our Lady – such is the title which befits her in every way, as that of Our Lord beseems her Son – it is the doctrinal basis of that worship of hyperdulia which belongs to her alone. She is below her Son, Whom she adores as we do but above all God’s servants, both Angels and men, inasmuch as she is His Mother. At the Name of Jesus every knee is bent; at the Name of Mary, every head is bowed. And although, the former is the only Name whereby we may be saved; yet, as the Son can never be separated from His Mother, Heaven unites their two Names in its Hymns of praise, earth in its confidence, hell in its fear and hatred!
It was, therefore, in the order of Divine Providence that devotion to the most Holy Name of Mary should spread, simultaneously with the cultus of the adorable Name of Jesus, of which St Bernadine of Siena was the Apostle in the 15th Century. In 1513 the Church of Cuenca in Spain was the first to celebrate, with the approbation of the Holy See, a special Feast in honour of the Name of Mary; while the Franciscan Order had not yet succeeded in obtaining a like privilege for the Adorable Name of Jesus. The reason for this, is that the memory of that Sacred Name included in the Feast of the Circumcision, seemed to the prudence of the Pontiffs to suffice. From the same motive we find the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary extended to the universal Church in the year 1683 and, that of the Most Holy Name of Jesus not until 1721.
Our Lady justifies her beautiful title by partaking in the warlike exploits of the King of kings, her Son. The City of Vienna, having been delivered by her from the power of the Crescent, contrary to all hope, the venerable Innocent XI. made this Feast the memorial of universal gratitude to the liberatrix of the West.
The Name of Mary, which is the joy of Angels and the terror of demons, protects man against countless evils and supports him on his way to Heaven. All the delight of Heaven, all the hopes of earth, are centred on the cradle where Mary sleeps, while her heart is watching before God.
Wisdom praises her own self – by the blessed daughter of Anne and Joachim, the loving preference shown by that Divine Wisdom from the beginning of the world, is already justified. Forevermore, it will be her delight to be with the children of men. The chosen vine, the vine of the Peaceful One is before us, announcing, by its fragrant blossom, the divine grape, whose juice, pressed out in the wine-press of the Cross, will give fruitfulness to every soul and will inebriate earth and Heaven.”
Feast of the Holy Name of Mary (1683 ) – 12 September: This Feast was first observed at Cuenca, Spain in 1513, then extended to the Universal Church and assigned to its present place and rank by Pope Innocent XI in 1683, in thanksgiving to God and the Blessed Virgin, for the liberation of Vienna, France and the signal victory over the Turks on 12 September 1683. It is the Titular Feast of the Society of Mary (Marianists) and of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
St Juventius of Pavia St Mancius of Saint Thomas St Paul of Saint Clare St Sacerdos of Lyon St Silvinus of Verona St Tomás de Zumárraga Lazcano
Martyrs of Alexandria – 6 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than their names – Hieronides, Leontius, Sarapion, Seleusius, Straton and Valerian. They were drowned c 300 at Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Phrygia – 3 Saints: Three Christians who were Martyred for destroying pagan idols. We know little more than their names – Macedonius, Tatian and Theodolus. They were burned to death in 362 in Phrygia (modern Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 11 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Incarnation
“The Incarnation, which is the coming of God amongst men, in order that He might be loved more, requires that man, in return, love God and be obedient to His commandments.
Since the Infinite God could do no more for us than give us His entire Self, it is only right that we should be prepared to make any sacrifice, in order to prove our love for Him. The Mystery of the Incarnation not only demands our love, it also requires that this love should induce us to lead better lives. Jesus, God made Man, should be the model which will encourage us to obey His laws and to follow His example. There is no other way to eternal joy.”
Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here:
“And you shall be hated by all men, for My Name’s sake.”
Luke 21:17
“The fruits of the earth are not brought to perfection immediately but by time, rain and care. Similarly, the fruits of men ripen through ascetic practice, study, time, perseverance, self-control and patience.”
St Anthony Abbot (251-356)
“The Saints must be honoured as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God. Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the Apostles, Martyrs, Ascetics and just men, who announced the coming of the Lord. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering and perseverance unto death, so that we may also share their crowns of glory.”
St John Damascene (676-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Do you not know that the largest trees which have required years to grow, are cut down in one hour? It is foolish to look for their fruits and yet to be unprepared for their fall. Let it be your consolation, then, that God’s enemies, however honourable and exalted they may have been, shall, nevertheless, fade away like the smoke!”
St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170) Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury
“Now, you must always persevere in firmly placing all your trust in our Lord, in the troublesome business you have in hand. It will give you a fine opportunity of laying a good foundation of submission to God’s will and peace of soul.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“Our Lord, Who saved the world, through the Cross, will only Work for the good of souls, through the Cross.”
St Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
May We Confess Your Name to the End By St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258) Bishop and Martyr Apostolic Father of the Church
Good God, may we confess Your Name to the end. May we emerge unmarked and glorious from the traps and darkness of this world. As You have bound us together, by charity and peace and as together, we have persevered under persecution, so may we also rejoice together in Your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led, before kings and governors because of My Name …” – Luke 21:12
REFLECTION – “Jesus gives them clear and evident signs of the time when the consummation of the world draws near. He says that there will be wars, turmoil, famines and epidemics everywhere. There will be terrors from Heaven and great signs. As another Evangelist says, “All the stars shall fall and the heaven be rolled up like a scroll and its powers will be shaken.”
In the middle of this, the Saviour places what refers to the capture of Jerusalem. He mixes the accounts together in both parts of the narrative. Before all these things, He says, “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and to prisons and bringing you before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. This will be a witness to you.” Before the times of consummation, the land of the Jews was taken captive and the Roman armies overran it. They burned the temple, overthrew their national government and stopped the means for legal worship. They no longer had sacrifices, now that the temple was destroyed. The country of the Jews together with Jerusalem itself was totally laid waste. Before these things happened, they persecuted the blessed disciples. They imprisoned them and had a part in unendurable trials. They brought the disciples before judges and sent them to kings. Paul was sent to Rome to Caesar.
Christ promises, however, that He will deliver them certainly and completely. He says that a hair of your head will not perish!” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Bishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Incarnation the Church (Commentary on Luke, Homily 139).
PRAYER – May the precious witness of Thy blessed Martyrs, Protus and Hyacinth, comfort us, O Lord and may their kind intercession, continually protect us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy By St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who endured a Martyrdom of love and grief, beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption by thy innumerable afflictions and by offering to the Eternal Father, His only-begotten Son, as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins. I thank thee for the unspeakable love which led thee to deprive thyself of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner. Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son, that I may steadfastly amend my life and never again crucify my loving Redeemer by my sins and that, persevering till death in His grace, I may obtain eternal life through the merits of His Cross and Passion. Amen Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us!
Saint/s of the Day – 11 September – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Valerian (257–259), they served as household Officials to St Eugenia. Protus is also known as – Protatius, Proteus, Prothus, Prote and Proto. His name was corrupted in England as Saint Pratt. Hyacinth is sometimes called by his Latin name Hyacinthus (in French: Hyacinthe, Spanish: Jacinto and Italian: Giacinto).
The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Rome, in the Cemetery of Basilla, on the old Salarian Way, the birthday of the Holy Martyrs, Protus and Hyacinth, brothers and eunuchs in the service of the blessed Eugenia, who were arrested in the time of the Emperor Gallienus, on the charge of being Christians and urged to offer sacrifice to the gods. But as they refused, both were most severely scourged and finally, beheaded.”
Tradition holds that Protus and Hyacinth were brothers. They served as Chamberlains to Saint Eugenia, a holy Christian Virgin and Martyr and were Baptised along with her by Helenus, Bishop of Heliopolis.
Devoting themselves zealously to the study of Sacred Scripture, they lived with the hermits of Egypt and later accompanied Eugenia to Rome. There, they were arrested for their Christian Faith by Emperor Gallienus (260–268). Refusing to deny their faith, they were first scourged and then beheaded on 11 September.
In 1845, Father Marchi discovered the still undisturbed grave of St Hyacinth in a Crypt of the above-mentioned Catacomb. It was a small square niche in which lay the ashes and pieces of burned bone, wrapped in the remains of costly materials. Evidently the Saint had been burnt, a fate which many Martyrs had suffered, either dying by fire or being burnt after death. The niche was closed by a marble slab similar to that used to close a loculus (or tomb) and bearing the original Latin inscription which confirms the date in the old Roman Martyrology, mentioned above.
The day of Protus and Hyacinth’s annual commemoration is mentioned in the “Depositio Martyrum” on 11 September, in the Chronographia for the year 354.
The Chronographia also mentions their graves, in the Coemeterium of Basilla on the Via Salaria, later the Catacomb of St Hermes. The “Itineraries” and other early authorities, likewise give this as their place of burial.
St Emilian of Vercelli St Essuperanzio of Zurich St Felix of Zurich Bl Franciscus Takeya Bl François Mayaudon Bl Gaspar Koteda St Gusmeo of Gravedona sul Lario St Leudinus of Toul St Matthew of Gravedona sul Lario St Paphnutius of Thebes St Patiens of Lyon Bl Peter Taaffe Bl Petrus Kawano St Regula of Zurich St Sperandea St Theodora the Penitent
Thought for the Day – 10 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Creation
“Dante describes the Creation beautifully as “Eternal Love expanded into new loves.” Heaven and earth, Angels and men and all created beings, are nothing more than an expansion of this Eternal Love, into new loves. Love unites and fills everything. Everywhere in Heaven and on earth, there is love, there is need of love. But whom shall we love? The creatures who surround us? Yes. We may and should love them. They are rays of the Light and Beauty of God. We should love them because they reflect the Power and Glory of God. But, we must not become attached to them. We must not try to find, happiness and peace of mind in them. They cannot give us contentment, for our hearts are made for something greater. God made creatures for Himself, as St Augustine says and, therefore, our hearts will not rest until they rest in Him.”
Quote/s of the Day – 10 September – The 15th Sunday after Pentecost – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10, Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here:
“Young man, I say to thee, arise!” Luke 7:14
“The young man’s mother, this widow, was transported with joy at seeing her son rise. Our Mother, the Church, also rejoices when she sees her children’s spiritual resurrection everyday. The widow’s son was dead with the death of the body but these latter, are dead with the death of the soul. People wept tears over the visible death of the former but people were not concerned by the invisible death of the latter – they did not even see it. The only One Who did not remain indifferent, is the One Who knew these deaths – only the One, Who could give life back to them, knew these deaths. For if the Lord had not come to raise the dead, the Apostle Paul would not have said: “Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light.” (Eph 5:14).”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“O my brethren, if only we wanted to, if only we all wanted to perceive our soul’s paralysis in all its depth! Then we would see that it is lying on a stretcher of sins, deprived of strength. Christ’s action within us, would be a source of light and we would understand that each day He sees our lack of faith, harmful as it is, that He draws us towards healing remedies and sharply presses our rebellious wills. “My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.”
St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Golden Words” Father & Doctor of the Church
“If thou art bound down by sickness, if sorrows weary thee, if thou art trembling with fear, invoke the name of Jesus!”
St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1456)
“A person who is conscious of his misery, can certainly have great confidence in God. In fact, he cannot have true confidence in Him, without this consciousness of his misery. This knowledge and acknowledgement of our misery, leads us to the presence of God.”
St Francis de Sales 91567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 10 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Nicholas of Tolentino OSA (1245-1305) Confessor, – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10, Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Young man, I say to thee, arise!” – Luke 7:14
REFLECTION – “Our Lord, the great and excellent Physician of our infirmities, announced everywhere, before coming into this world, both His arrival and the maladies He would cure; sometimes by His prophets. …”
What wonder then if, in the Gospel, we find Him surrounded by the sick, by sinners and by publicans! O vain and foolish murmuring of the Hebrews, when they said: “This man receiveth sinners.” Whom would you wish Him to receive? Is it not the honour of a Physician to be sought for by the sick and so much the more, as their maladies are considered incurable? …
Thus, how were the poor Prodigal and the unfortunate Absalom received by their fathers? And, otherwise, what would become of us, for all have sinned? Every man is a liar, that is to say, a sinner. If we say that we are without sin, we deceived ourselves. Return to the Lord, and forsake your injustice, for His Mercy is great towards those who are converted to Him. Why is He called Saviour, unless in order to save? …
But, oh, miserable that we are! We are often called and we only turn a deaf ear. “I have called and you have not heard,” says God. We are drawn and we obstinately resist Him. He complains, saying: “All the day long have I stretched out My hands to this incredulous and rebellious people! ”…
Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt, let us approach Our Lord, let us make provision of good works; let the feet of our affections be bare, let us clothe ourselves with innocence, let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy, let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer. The hour is come to arise from sleep, since we know that He receives sinners; the Angels await our repentance, the Saints pray for it!” – (Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).
PRAYER – Be mindful, O Lord, of our humble prayers in this commemoration of Thy Saint Nicholas, so that we, who have no confidence in our own righteousness, may be assisted by the merits of those, who have been pleasing to Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 
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